Most of the positional battles in Tulane's fall camp were settled in during the three-week practice span. But a few positions aren't defined and place kicker is one of them. Coach Curtis Johnson isn't ready to officially name a starter yet. Andrew DiRocco, a freshman out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. was brought in to replace school record-holding departed kicker Cairo Santos, who won the 2012 Lou Groza award. But DiRocco didn't exactly blow incumbent walk-on Steven Broccoli out of the water in camp practices. Both were inconsistent. Though DiRocco is expected to be the next Tulane kicker, Johnson wouldn't say that on Saturday as fall camp was wrapping up.

"Still we're waiting right now," Johnson said. "I kind of know who it's going to be but we got to make sure we do our due diligence. It's moving in the right direction."

Asked when an announcement would be made on the starter considering the season starts on Thursday with a 7 p.m. game at Tulsa, Johnson said: "With that we will have a good plan when we go into game time but as of right now we are not announcing anything about it," he said. "We just want to our guys to compete and continue to compete."

The deep snapper job has been determined, Johnson said this week. He said Lizanich won the job over Matt Marfisi, who is a tight end that helped out when Lizanich lost his consistency last season. Devin Boutte will likely return as the punt returner, but both Darion Monroe and receiver Teddy Veal are considerations for that job, Johnson said. Sherman Badie is expected to give the Green Wave a boost at kickoff return after the departure of Kedrick Banks, who transferred before fall camp.

Outlook

DiRocco said the field goal kicking and point after's have improved throughout camp, particularly in the last week.

"This week has been a lot better," DiRocco said on Thursday. "The past few days we really haven't missed as much. The only kick I can remember I missed in the past three days was a 57 yarder."

But Tulane hasn't tried many long field goals in special teams segments of practices. It no longer has the range of Cairo Santos, who set a school record with a 57-yard field goal on Nov. 3, 2012 against Rice. The task for these kickers has been mostly to hit on the kicks they should. But Santos' shadows looms large.

"All I can say is he was a great role model and we try to focus on what he did—not try to step into his shoes but I just try to do what I can the best to my ability," Broccoli said.

DiRocco said Santos was gone for the NFL before he got to Tulane – so in a way he feels less pressure. But the challenge to make sure this unit isn't a drag on the team this season is obvious. DiRocco said he is just trying to do what is in his control. "I'm basically just trying to play against myself, do the best that I can do that's how I hope it works out," he said.